OL57

Brennan Williams

OT North Carolina

Grade

Overview

Williams’ father, Brent, was a defensive lineman in the NFL for 11 seasons (1986-1996), racking up 45 ½ sacks, mostly with the New England Patriots. But Brennan grew so large that he dwarfs his dad’s 6-foot-4, 283-pound frame, making him a better candidate to block pass rushers than become one.

The SuperPrep high school All-American out of Massachusetts didn’t get a chance to play a lot in his first two years in Chapel Hill. He played in six games as a true freshman in 2009, then in 10 contests the following year as a reserve. Williams then took over the starting right tackle job as a junior, playing in all 13 games. In 2012, Williams missed the final four games of the year with a shoulder injury. His injury shortened 2012 season still earned him an All-ACC Honorable Mention.

Analysis

Strengths

Tall tackle with an athletic build, but with some strength in his arms and girth in the lower body. Shows bend in his three-point stance and a solid get-off in spite of his height. Extreme length allows him to ride defensive ends around the pocket or stop them cold if they try the inside lane. Good punch on first contact knocks ends off their routes. Flashes movement skills behind the line of scrimmage on pulls. Uses natural bend and strong hands to hit and sustain stationary targets at the second level and in the open field. Comes off the ball hard and stays with run blocks throughout the play, moving his feet and extending, sometimes taking his man to the ground.

Weaknesses

Does not possess elite quickness to play on the left side. Can be a tick late off the snap. Inconsistent maintaining his bend and keeping his slide short in pass pro, which opens the door for quicker edge rushers. Stops his feet after initial contact in pass pro too often, bending at the waist and relying on his length instead of keeping quick feet to mirror. Lacks agility to hit quick targets at the second level. Recovery speed usually enough to win against college ends but might not against NFL veterans. Doesn’t lock onto better ends quickly enough, they can rip past him before he gets his hands up.

NFL Comparison

Gosder Cherilus

Bottom Line

Williams outgrew the NFL path his father laid before him as a defensive lineman (Brent Williams had 45 ½ sacks in an 11-year career mostly set in New England), but retained enough of the tenaciousness to become a vicious run blocking right tackle. Williams is likely limited solely to right tackle because of his height, and lack of athletic ability. He was considered a second-round prospect coming into this season.